Cord holder



Jap.7, 1936. M. L. BRASHEARS 2,027,085

CORD HOLDER Filed March 4, 1955 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 7, 1936. M BRASHEARS 2,027,085

CORD HOLDER Filed March 4, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 7, 1936 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE com) HOLDER, Maurice L. Brashears, Washington, D. 0. Application March 4, 1935, Serial No. 9,309

18 Claims. (01. 248-51 i The present invention relates to cord holders and refers particularly to means for supporting electric conductor cords.

' An object of the invention is to provide an improved cord holder adapted for universal use, but particularly designed for supporting an electric iron cord during the ironing operation.

Heretofore, cord holders of this type have been so constructed that the cord supporting standard exerts a direct pull against the spring which normally holds the standard in upright position. Thus, as the standard is moved toward a horizontal position, the tension on the spring increases to such an extent that if the operator should release his hold on the iron, there is a tendency for the standard to pull or jerk the iron off the ironing board or table.

The present invention is designed to eliminate this objectionable feature, and this is accomby so arranging the spring with respect to he supporting standard that the latter may swing from an upright to a horizontal position, without materially varying the tension on the spring. I

A further object is to provide a structure which permits the spring to be adjusted with respect to the supporting standard.

fi."-"tlll' object is the provision of a cord holder may be collapsed and securely retained in ed position when not in use. 'i foregoing and other objects in view, ion will now be more fully described, reierencu being had to the accompanying drawings, in which v Figure 1 is a side elevation of the preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the same;

Figure 3 is a plan View showing the device in collapsed position;

Figure 4 is a side elevation partly in section of a modified form of the invention;

and l i a base upon which the standard is pivotally mounted. Preferably, the base is in the form of a flat strip of metal which is provided with a plurality of apertures l2 for receiving suitable fastening means such as screws to permit the device to be easily and quickly secured to an ironing board or table l3, as clearly shown in the drawings. While any suitable means may be utilized to pivotally support the standard It! upon the base, in the present instance the latter is provided with spaced upstanding arms I4 which 5 have been struck out of the metal of the base. The lower end of the standard is formed into a substantially U-shaped yoke l5 having straight parallel portions l6 positioned between and pivotally connected to the arms ll of the base by suit- 10 able bolts or rivets H.

In order that the standard may be normally held in an upright position, and for urging it toward such position, there is provided a coil spring l8 disposed substantially longitudinally of and in rear of the standard. This spring is secured at one end to the upper portion of the standard, while its other end is pivotally connected to one end of a substantially L-shaped link [9. One arm of this link is pivotally 20 mounted centrally of the base and is in direct alignment with the standard when the latter is in its upright position. The arm 2| to which the spring is secured is thus movable about its pivot from an upright to a horizontal position, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

By mounting the coil spring so that it extends substantially longitudinally of the standard, I eliminate an objectionable feature which is present in numerous prior constructions. It has been the practice in such structures to utilize springs for retaining the cord supporting standards in upright position, but each spring has been so arranged with respect to its standard that when the standard is moved toward a horizontal position during the ironing operation, a direct pull is exerted upon the spring. Thus, as the standard is moved downwardly, the tension on the spring usually becomes so great that the end of the electric cord is either pulled from its socket on the iron, or the iron jerked bodily rearwardly should the operator release his hold on the same. In the present invention this undesirable feature has been eliminated by positioning the coil spring longitudinally of the standard, and anchoring the lower end of the spring so as to permit it to swing with the standard without materially varying the tension on the spring. It will be observed that the pivot points of the standard and the spring are off-set only to a degree which will permit a very slight tension on the spring, such as will be necessary to retain the standard in its normally upright position and to move it to such position during the ironing operation. Thus with the present invention the advantages of the usual spring are utilized, but the disadvantages inherent in prior constructions are eliminated.

portion of this plate is extended laterally to a substantial point and the upper end of the spring i8 is suitably connected thereto. With this arrangement, the tension of the spring will force the extended portion of the plate downwardly and create a binding and locking action between the plate and'standard. When it is desired to vary the tension of the spring with respect to the standard, it is merely necessary to lift up on the extended portion of the plate and then slide the latter to the desired position on the standard.

To the extreme upper end of the standard I is swivelly mounted a clip 24 for detachably securing an electric conductor cord 25 to the standard.

The clip is provided with a depending arm 26 tachably connected to the conductor cord and this loop has secured thereto a ring 29 which is adapted to be slipped beneath the tongue 2! and retained thereby during the usual ironing operation.

With this arrangement any undue strain upon Tthe cord 25 will pull the ring out of engagement cord. During the ironing operation one end of this cord is connected to an iron 30 in the usual manner, while the other end 3| is adapted to be plugged into the usual electric outlet. It will be apparent that as the iron is moved back and forth over the'ironing board or table, the standard will swing" downwardly and upwardly about its pivot against the slight tension of the spring l8. Any slack in the cord will automatically be takenup by the movement of the standard to its upright position.

When the ironing is completed and it is desired to remove the board or table, the cord holder, after being detached from the iron and light socket, may be easily and quickly folded and held in a collapsed position. This is accomplished by moving the standard to a horizontal position, as shown in Figure 3, and then rotating the arm 2| of the link I9 about its pivot to a horizontal position. By reason of the lower end of the spring being connected to the arm 2|, the spring is also carried to a horizontal position, thus changing the direction of the pull of the spring with respect to the standard. The'arm 2! is of sufficient length to permit the spring to clear the yoke l5, but to snugly engage the same and thereby lock the standard in its horizontal collapsed position on the board.

Preferably the yoke I is provided with suitable clips 32, one for receiving and holding a portion of the conductor cord during the ironing operation and the other for retaining one end of the cord when it is detached from the iron. If it is desired, the spring may be provided with a. suitable cover 33. The link 2| is also provided with a rubber covering 34 which constitutes a rigidly secured to the ironing board of table by means of suitable screws. This is desirable in that the fastening means may be utilized to secure the ironing board cover to the board. The cord holder will be attached to the widest end of the board and will therefore clamp the cover to 5 this end of the board and prevent it from slipping oii of the board.

In Figure 4 there is illustrated a modification having all of the characteristics of the preferred form, with the exception that the standard is secured to the base by a ball and socket connection. In this arrangement the base 35 has formed therein a suitable socket 36, while to the end of the standard is connected a ball 31 engageable in the socket.

The base is provided with a detachable cap 38 to permit assembly of the ball within the socket. The lower end of the spring is secured to one arm of an L-shaped link 39, the other arm of the link being pivoted in a loop 40 formed in the base and 0 positioned directly beneath the socket 36. The front portion of the cap 38 is cut away sufficiently to permit the standard to swing to a horizontal position but the rear portion is extended upwardly to form a stop 4| for limiting the rearward movement of the standard. The ball and socket are so constituted as to permit the standard to be folded to a collapsed horizontal position whereby the arm 39 may be moved from the vertical to horizontal position and thus lock the spring and standard in collapsed position as in the preferred form of the'invention.

In Figures 6 and 7 there is disclosed a further modified form of invention wherein the standard 42 is tubular and adapted to receive a spring 43. 5 In this form the lower end of the standard is provided with a yoke member 44 having forwardly extending spaced ears 45 pivoted to the base 46. The lower end of the spring 43 is secured to a lug 4'! positioned directly below and in alignment with the standard when in its upright position. In order that the spring may be adjusted relative to the standard, the latter is provided with opposed slots 68 within which is slidably mounted a bolt 49 to which is secured the upper end of the spring 43. By loosening the nut 50, the bolt may be moved within the slots 48 so that the spring may be adjusted with respect to the standard as desired. In this form of the invention, the lower ends of the arms of the yoke are flattened to provide stops 5! which engage the base and limit the rearward movement of the standard. Instead of securing the base to the ironing board by screws as in Figures 1 to 5, there is provided a clamp 52 for detachably connecting the cord holder in place. Either means of attachment is optional and each may be used as desired. The operation is the same as in the other forms of invention, the only difference being that with this arrangement the spring may not be utilized to v lock the standard in collapsed position. All of the other advantages of the invention are present, however, and particularly that of positioning the spring longitudinally of the standard and permitting it to swing therewith so that the tension on the spring is negligible.

While I have particularly illustrated and described my cord holder for use in connection with an ironing board, it is to be understood it is capable of universal use. Obviously, it may be used to advantage in supporting telephone conductor cords, various types of reading lamp cords, vacuum cleaner cords and many other articles Where a conductor cord constitutes a necessary element of the device.

I claim: i l

1. A cord holder comprising a cord supporting standard normally arranged in an upright position and provided at its lower end with a pivotal joint to permit the standard to swing downwardly and upwardly, means foryieldably maintaining the standard in an uprightposition' and for urging it toward such position, including a resilient extensible and contractible member dis-- posed longitudinally of the standard and. connected at its upper end to saidstandard above the lower end thereof, and means for anchoring the other end of the resilient member so that.

said member will swing with the standard with- "out materially varying its tensionthereon.

2. A cord holder comprising a cord supporting standard normally arranged inan upright position and provided at its lower end with a pivotal joint to permit the standard to swing downwardly and upwardly, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position, including a resilient extensible and contractible 'member disposed longitudinally of the standard and connected at its upper end to said standard above the lower end thereof, and means foranchoring the other end of the resilient member including a pivotal connection located adjacentto the joint of the standard whereby the resilient member will swing with the standard without materially varying the tension of said member.

3. A cord holdercomprising a cord supporting standard normally arrangedin an upright position and provided at its lower end with a pivotal joint to permit the standard to swing downwardly and upwardly, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position, including a spring disposed longitudinally of the standard and connected at its upper end to said standard above the lower. end thereof, and means for anchoring the other end of the spring so that said spring will swing with the standard without materially varying its tension thereon. l

4. A cord holder comprising a cord supporting,

standard normally arranged in an upright position and provided at its lower end with a pivotal joint to permit the standard to swing downwardly and upwardly, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position, including a spring disposed longitudinally of the'standard and adjustably connected at its upper end to said standard, and means for anchoring the other end of the spring so that said spring. will swing with the standard without materially varying its tension thereon.

5. A cord holder comprising a cord supporting standard normally arranged in an upright position and provided at its lower end with a pivotal joint to permit the standard to swing downwardly and upwardly, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position, including a spring disposed longitudinally of the standard and having its upper end slidably adjustable with respect to the standard, and means for anchoring the other end of the spring so that said spring will swing with the standard without materially varying its tension thereon.

6. A cord holder comprising a cord supporting standard normally arranged in an upright posi tion and provided at its lower end with a pivotal joint to permit the standard to swing downwardly and upwardly, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position, including a spring disposed longitudinally of the standard, a plate slidably mounted on the standard and connected to one end of the spring, and means for anchoring the. other end of the spring so that said spring will swing with the standard without materially varying its tension thereon.

7. A cordholder comprising a cord supporting standard normally arranged in an upright position and provided at its lower end with a pivotal jointto permit the standard to swing downwardly and upwardly, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position, including a spring 5 disposed longitudinally of the standard and connected at one end thereto, and a link pivotally connected at one end with the other end of the spring and pivotally mounted to swing laterally from an upright to a substantially horizontal position for changing the direction of the pull of the spring whereby when the standard is folded to a horizontal position, the spring may be arranged to maintain the standard in such folded position.

l 8. A cord holder comprising a base, a cord supporting standard'pivotally connected to said base, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position including a spring disposed 3o longitudinally of the standard and connected at one end thereto, and a link pivotally connected at one end with the other end of the spring and pivotally mounted on said base to swing laterally from an upright to a substantially horizontal 33 position for changing the direction of the pull of the spring whereby when the standard is folded. to a horizontal position, the spring may be arranged to maintain the standard in such folded position.

9. A cord holder comprising a base, a cord supporting standard pivotally connected to said base, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in anupright position and for urging it toward such position including a spring disposed 4.5 longitudinally of the standard and connected at one end thereto, and asubstantially L-shaped link having one of its arms connected to the other end of the spring, the other arm of said link being pivotally connected to said base so that the link will swing laterally from an upright to a substantially horizontal position for changing the direction of the pull of the spring, whereby when the standard is folded to a horizontal position, the spring may be arranged to maintain the standard in such folded position.

- 10.. A cord holder comprising'a base havin spaced up-standing arms, a cord supporting standard pivotally mounted between said arms, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position including a spring disposed longitudinally of the standard and connected at one end thereto, and a substantially L-shaped link having one of its arms connected to the other end of. the spring, the other arm of said link being pivotally connected to said base below said standard so that the link will swing laterally from an upright position in rear of said standard to a substantially horizontal position for changing the direction of the pull of the spring, whereby when the standard is folded to a horizontal position, the spring may be arranged to maintain the standard in such folded position.

11. A cord holder comprising a base and a cord supporting standard, one of said members being provided with a socket and the other with a ball secured in said socket and forming therewith a joint for permitting universal movement of the standard relative to the base, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position including a spring disposed longitudinally of the standard and connected at its upper end to said standard above the lower end thereof, and means for anchoring the other end of the spring so that said spring will swing with the standard Without materially varying its tension on the same.

12. A cord holder comprising a base provided with a socket, a cord supporting standard having a ball secured to its lower end and forming with said socket a joint for permitting universal movement of the standard relative to the base, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such po-v sition including a spring disposed longitudinally of the standard and connected at its upper end to said standard above the lower end thereof, and a bracket secured to the base and having a portion thereof connected to the other end of the spring, said bracket having an upstanding arm constituting a stop for limiting the rearward movement of the standard.

13. A cord holder comprising a tubular cord supporting standard normally arranged in an upright position and. provided at its lower end with a pivotal joint to' permit the standard to swing downwardly and upwardly, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position, including a spring disposed within the standard and connectedat its upper end to said standard above the lower end thereof, and means for anchoring the other end of the spring so that said spring will swing with the standard without materially varying its tension on the same.

14. A cord holder comp-rising a base, a tubular cord supporting standard pivotally connected to said baseand having opposed slots therein, means for yieldably maintaining-the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position, including a spring disposed within the standard, meansslidably mounted in said opposed slots and connected to the upper end of said spring for adjusting the same relative to" said standard, and means for anchoring the lower end of the spring to said base so that the spring will swing with the standard without materially varying its tension on'the same.

15. A cord holder comprising a cord support- 1 ing standard normally arranged in an upright position and provided at its lower end with a pivotal joint to permit the standard to swing downwardly and upwardly, means for yieldably maintaining the'standard in an upright position and for urging it toward said position including a resilient extensible and contractible member disposed in substantially parallel relation to said standard 5 and having its upper end connected tosaid standard above the lower end thereof, and means for anchoring the other end of the resilient member .so that said member will swing with the standard without materially varying its tension thereon.

16. A cord holder comprising a cord supporting standard normally arranged in an upright position and provided at its lower end with a pivotal joint to permit the standard to swing downwardly and upwardly, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position 'and for urging it toward said position including a resilient extensible and contractible member disposed in substantially parallel relation to said standard and having its upper end slidably adjust- :0 able with respect to the standard, and means for anchoring the other end of the resilient member so that said member will swing with the standard without materially varying its tension thereon.

17. A cord holder comprising a base and a cord supporting standard, one of said members being provided with a socket and the other with a ball secured in said socket and forming therewith a joint for permitting universal movement of the standard relative to the base, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position including a spring disposed longitudinally of the standard and connected at its upper end to said standard above the lower end thereof, and a link pivotally connected at one end with the other end of the spring and pivotally mounted to swing laterally from an upright to a substantially horizontal position for changing the direction of the pull of the spring whereby when the standard is folded to a horizontal position the spring may be arranged to maintain the standard in such folded position.

18. A cord holder comprising a base, a cord supporting standard pivotally connected to said base, means for yieldably maintaining the standard in an upright position and for urging it toward such position including a spring disposed in substantially parallel relation to said standard and having its upper end connected to said standard above the lower end thereof, and means for anchoring the other end of the spring to the base including a pivotal connection located adjacent to the joint of the standard whereby the spring will swing with the standard without materially varying the 5 tension of the spring.

MAURICE L. BRASHEARS. 

